Obituary of Lillie M. Tanner

Lillie M. Tanner of Lockport, New York went home to be with her Lord on May 2, 2025. She began her journey November 12, 1930 in Troy, Alabama where she was the first child to be born to Shelby and Frances (Williams) Crawford, the eldest of ten children in the family. 

At an early age she moved from Troy, Alabama and went on to pursue her dreams. At the age of 23 years old she became a beautician, retiring from doing hair after several years. She then went back to school and got most of her training to be a nurses' assistant at Mt Saint Mary Hospital for a short time.  Lillie was also a nurses' assistant for 15 years at Lockport Memorial Hospital retiring in 1986.

Lillie enjoyed knitting, crocheting, cooking, specially making her famous chicken noddle soup, and baking, but most of all Lillie’s passion was taking care of people.  

When she moved to Niagara Falls New York she joined the Mount Erie Baptist Church family and was a faithful member under the leadership of Rev J. M. Bradley for many years until she met and married her husband, Joseph E. Tanner and they relocated to Lockport, New York. After moving to Lockportthey both joined and became members of the Calvary Baptist Church in Lockport.

Lillie was predeceased by her husband Joseph E. Tanner; her siblings, Marzene Crawford, Annie P. Wilson, James A. Crawford, Mitchell L. Crawford, Lonnie M. Palmer, Robert L. Crawford. She is survived by her siblings Shelby Crawford, Jr. Betty J. Powell, Walter J. Crawford, Dorothy A. LaMar, and several nieces and nephews.

Relatives and friends may call on Thursday May 8, 2025 from 11-12PM in Prudden and Kandt Funeral Home 242 Genesee St. Lockport, NY where a funeral service will immediately follow at 12 noon. Interment in Cold Spring Cemetery.